Posture Pain Relief

What brings you comfort? My “go to” is usually bread or frozen yogurt. When my day has been overwhelming and their are no easy answers, you will often find me at the Yogurt Mill drive-thru. A good frosty dose of sugar or a buttery baguette gives temporary relief from my angst, and yet it doesn’t bring lasting peace or perspective. There isn’t a yogurt cup big enough to drown my sorrows in. There is only one source for what my heart truly craves and that is Jesus.

People throughout the ages have turned to all kinds of idols seeking comfort, some more harmful than others. Zechariah 10:2 says, “The idols speak deceit, diviners see visions that lie; they tell dreams that are false, they give comfort in vain.” Idols give us a sense of comfort, but it is empty comfort that won’t last. They lie to us about what we really need, which is to maintain a posture of surrender to Jesus. The pain that draws us to our own personal idols is the very pain God wants to use to draw us to Himself.

My daughter, Meghan, has been having pain in her neck. I took her to the doctor yesterday seeking advice as we’ve discovered the bone at the top of her vertebrae is actually pertruding unnaturally. The doctors advice was for Meghan to work on her posture. She is often hunched over her computer for school work or playing the piano and that posture is causing her pain. Its actually uncomfortable for her to sit straight and takes focused effort for her to do so. Meghan will have to be intentional in sitting up straight, pushing her shoulders back and keeping her chin lifted to help alleviate her discomfort. We need to do the same thing spiritually; change our posture to one of kneeling in prayer or arms raised in surrender to God’s will, not our own. It doesn’t feel natural because it isn’t. We are prone to wanting and doing things our own way, but it just causes us more pain in the end. The pain we encounter causes alarm sensors in our spirit to seek out comfort, leading us to idols, or Jesus. Rather than seeking out temporary comfort in the arms of another, at the end of a bottle, in the pursuit of more money, with the purchase of more stuff, or binging on junk food….ask God to meet the hunger in your soul.

How is your posture toward God right now? Are you seeking His will, or yours? Ask Him to give you His perspective about the emotional pain or struggle you are having. So often we think we know the answer, which usually entails others having to change, when in reality, God sees it much differently. His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. We are selfish by nature and our idols are often ourselves. Our selfishness can lead to bad spiritual posture, weighing us down and luring us to look within, rather than looking to Jesus. Seek Jesus and you will find Him…and He will give you what you truly need. Maintain a posture of prayer and praise. It’s the best remedy for your pain, worry, anxiety, heartache, hopes, dreams, longings….Are you listening? You can do all things through Him!🙏💪

Jer.29:13~You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Isaiah 55:8~For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.
Psalm 119:76~May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.
2 Cor. 1:4,6~God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things.”